Prep football returns Thursday with Zero Week contests and several area athletes and teams will hit the gridiron.

As games begin, here are some of the top returning area athletes on defense to watch this season.

Based on 2025 Gazette Preps all-area teams

Faleulu Leatiota, jr., Fountain-Fort Carson (notable 2025 stats: 37 tackles, 3.1 tackles per game, seven tackles for loss)

As a sophomore, Leatiota led the Trojans in tackles for loss with seven in 12 games and was tied for first on the team with a pair of sacks.

Aidenn Smith, sr., Vista Ridge (notable 2025 stats: three tackles for loss, 46 total tackles, two sacks)

Smith, along with four teammates, finished the season with two sacks, but the Wolves senior added two fumble recoveries and forced a fumble.

Drew Japp, sr., Palmer Ridge (notable 2025 stats: 6.6 tackles per game, two sacks, two hurries)

The Bears senior missed three games last season and still led Palmer Ridge with 73 tackles and was third on the team with eight tackles for loss.

Mason Godshall, jr., Cheyenne Mountain (notable 2025 stats: 51 total tackles, five tackles for loss, blocked punt)

Godshall put clamps on his opposition and led the Red-Tailed Hawks with five interceptions, 110 interception return yards and had six defended passes. 

Josiah Musilli, sr., The Classical Academy (notable 2025 stats: six tackles for loss, two sacks, 18 hurries)

Musilli finished second on the team with 50 tackles, added a forced fumble and recovered a fumble for the Titans.

Cole Rueschhoff, sr., Cheyenne Mountain (notable 2025 stats: 75 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks)

Along with leading the Red-Tailed Hawks in total tackles and tackles for loss, Rueschhoff also had a team-high three fumble recoveries.

Max Schlichter, jr., Air Academy (notable 2025 stats: blocked punt, caused fumble, interception)

Schlichter finished sixth in 4A in total tackles with 112 as a sophomore and added 5.5 tackles for loss in 11 games.

Chris Hinojosa, sr., Mesa Ridge (notable 2025 stats: 10 tackles for loss, three passes defended, 7.5 tackles per game)

The Grizzly defender ended his junior campaign second on the team with 90 tackles, caused two fumbles and snagged an interception in 12 contests.

Dylan Emmons, sr., Pine Creek (notable 2025 stats: 2.5 sacks, eight hurries, five tackles for loss)

Emmons flustered opposing offensive linemen, tallied 27 total tackles in seven games and caused a fumble last season.

Liam Smith, sr., Colorado Springs Christian (notable 2025 stats: three tackles for loss, 99 tackles, interception)

Smith finished second on the team and fell a tackle shy of 100 for his junior season and was one of four Lions to end the year with three tackles for loss.